Thread cleaner



April 9, 1929. H. J. HUFFORD THREAD CLEANER Filed April 9. 1928 Ill Q/Wmm I J5 J WZ UV, Z0 M Mommy Patented Apr. 9, 1929.

UNITED STATES HARRY J. HUFFORD, F SCBANTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

THREAD CLEANER.

Application filed April 9,

The invention aims primarily to provide a new and improved thread cleaner well adapted for use upon a so-called washboard tensioning device for thread or yarn passing to a winding spool of a spooling or analogous machine.

In adapting a thread cleaner of the type disclosed in my allowed U. S. application Serial No. 191,149, filed May 13, 1927, to a thread 1 tensioner of the type set forth, it was found that the thread had a tendency to severely cut one of the cleaning blades due to its direction of travel upon leaving said blade and it is another object of the invention to provide new and improved means for mounting a thread guiding roller above this blade to prevent the thread from dragging thereon with undue friction. 1

The cleaner embodies two thread cleaning blades having opposed edges between which the thread moves. said blades being shaped to form an entrance throat through which the thread enters the space between said edges, and it is a further aim to so shape one of the lugs which support the roller, as to guard this throat and prevent the thread from possibly lashing out of the same. In this connection, afurther aim is to so shape this same lug as to assist in initially guiding the thread into the throat. V

Yet another aim is to provide a unique bracket for mounting the thread cleaning means upon the tensioner, said bracket embodying a portion which serves to assist in initially guiding the thread into the abovenamed throat.

A thread tensioning deviceof the type above mentioned is usually provided with a,

stop for limiting the outward movement of the usual throw-ofi wire for the winding spool to which the thread runs from said tensioner. In placing my invention upon the tensioning device, it is necessary to make other provision for performing this function, and it is another aim of the invention to provide the stop on a gate which normally holds the thread guiding roller against removal, said stop serving also as a handle for moving the gate to and from closed position.

A still further object of the invention is to simple and inexpensive, yet highly efiicient and in every way desirable.

With the foregoing in view, the invention resides in the novel subject matter hereinafter described and claimed, description being acprovide a construction which is exceptionally,

1928. Serial No. 268,500.

complished by reference to the accompanying drawing.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a thread tensioning device and the improved thread cleaner mounted thereon.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a number of parts shown in Fig. 1, showing primarily the construction of the thread cleaner.

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are perspective views of difierent groups of parts hereinafter described.

In the drawing above briefly described, the wellknown thread tensioner is shown at T, the body of this tensioner having the usual attaching arm A and the customary horizontal lug L at the upper end of the thread tensioning means. The bracket for mounting the improved cleaner upon the tensioner T embodies a flat horizontal plate 6 to rest upon the lug L, being secured thereto in any desired manner. In the present showing, the usual hinge pin H of the tensioner, passes through an opening in the plate 6 and is provided with a nut N. I have also shown a screw 7 passing through the plate 6 and threaded into the lug L. Preferably integral with the plate 6, is a horizontal arm 8 whose inner portion 9 extends in one direction from said plate, while its outer end 10 projects in a direction substantially at right angles to said first named direction, the plate and arm being preferably in the same plane. The portion of the plate 6 opposite the arm 8 is directed downwardly at 11 to lie against one side of the lug L and is then projected outwardly providing ahorizontal thread guide 12 having an edge 13 which is oblique to the direction takenby the arm portion 9.

Secured by rivets 14, or other desired means, to the free end of the arm 8, is a stationary, horizontally disposed, thread cleaning blade 15 having a straight, threadengaging, inner edge 16. This blade is substantially parallel with the direction in which the arm portion 9 extends and its free end is disposed in horizontally spaced relation with the plate 6.

A U-shaped body 13 is formed with a slot 17 in its arm-connecting portion 18, through which the blade 15 passes, one arm 19 of said body B, being provided at its inner side with a longitudinal groove 20 receiving the outer edge portion of said blade 15. The other arm 21 of the body Bis formed with a longitudinal groove 22 in its inner side, and in this groove, a second thread-cleaning blade 1O V 1 i'ng'the threadnito the same.

23 is'secured, said blade being provided with a straight nner edge24t in spaced relation with the edge 16 and parallel therewith, to

receive the thread as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

-Attheir free ends,lthe two blades 23, are shaped to provide an entrance throat 25 for the thread, and it will be observed from blade 15 by a set screw 26 which is prefer ably of a key-operated type.

7 After leaving the blade 23, the thread t.

takes a direction away from the edge 24 of 1 said blade, and to prevent thefthread from excessively wearing thisedge,l provide a horizontal thread-guiding roller 27 which is positioned above the arm 21. The free end .of this arm is provided with a lug 28 having a socket 29 receiving one end of the roller 27. 'Theiother end of this roller is received in an opening 30 in a second lug 31 formed on the arm eonnecting portion.- 18 of the body B.

It will be observed from Fig. 2, that while the lug 28 .is somewhat above the throat 25,

I be observed that the outer sideo32 of thelug it extends across said throat and hence it prevents thethreadt from possibly lashing out of the same. From this view, it will also 28 curves toward the throat 25 and is more cleaning blades.

or less co-incident withthecurvededge 13 of the guide 12, assisting in initially guiding the thread intosaid throat and between the Not only does the lug 31 provide for the op'ening r-lf) to :mount on'e end of the rolls 27' but 'saidlu r. rovides a substantial bod a s, l of metal into wlnch to thread the set screw 26. Moreover, this lug carries a gate 33 which I normally closes the outer end of the opening 30 to prevent removal of the roller 27.

Preferably, this gate is pivoted to the lug 31 by a screw or the like 34, with suflicient friction'to remain in closed position, being readily movable however to open position when it is desired to remove a worn roller 2'7 and substitute anew one,

Gate 33isprovided with an integral finger 3 5 which constitutes an operating handlefor it and also serves as a stop for limiting the outward movement'of the usual throw-off wire ill, preventing excessive vibration of this wire and possible'action thereof when not necessary; p K Y The construction which has been shown and described, has ,proven inactual. service to be highly efiicient and in every way desirable. Thisconstruction may therefore be considered as preferred, with the understanding however, that within. the scope of the invention as claimed, variations may be made.

I claim j 1. A thread cleaner comprisinga horizontal'plate for anchorage upon a support, said plate having a rigidarm which projects horizontally therefrom first in one direction and then in a direction substantially at right angles to the first'named direction, a thread cleaning blade secured to the free end ofsaid arm andprojecting horizontally therefrom 'rto spacedv relationwith said plate, and a body mounted on said thread cleaning blade and itself having a thread-cleaning blade, the two blades being spaced apart to receive a thread between them.

2. A thread cleaner comprising a horizontal plate for anchorageupon a support, said plate having a rigid armwhich projects horizontally therefrom first in one direction and then in a direction substantially at right angles to the first named direction, a thread cleaning blade secured to the free end of said arm and projecting horizontally therefrom into spaced relation with said plate, a body mounted on said blade and having a'second blade interposed between the same and said plate, the inner edges of the two blades being parallel but shaped to jointly form a thread entrance throat at the outer ends of said blades, the portion of said plate opposite said arm being directed downwardly, then projecting horizontally andhaving an oblique edge extending substantially to one side of said throat to assist in guiding a thread into the latter. I

I 3. A thread cleaner comprising a U-shaped bot and thread cleaning blades having ope posed edges extending along the arms of said body, the portions ofsaidblades at the free ends 'ofsaid arms beingshaped to form a thread entrance throat into" the space between said-opposed edges,ia lug on the free end of one of said armsextendingacross said :throatfto prevent lashing of the thread out of said throat, a second lug at the inner end of saidone arm, both of said lugs projecting from the plane in which said arms are disposed, and an elongated thread guiding member extending between and supported by said lugs.

i. A structure as [specified in claim the first named lug having an'outer side slanted toward said throat toj assist in guiding a thread into the same. V f

5. A thread cleaner comprising a U-shaped body and-thread cleaningblades having opposed edges extending alongtheiarmsof said body, the portions of said blades at the free ends of said arms being shaped to form a thread-entrance throat into thespace between said opposed edges, a lug on the free end of one of said arms extending across said throat to prevent lashing of the thread out of said throat, a second lug at the inner end of said one arm, both of said lugs projecting from the plane in which said arms are disposed, an elongated thread guiding roller extending between said lugs, the first named lug having a socket receiving one end of said roller, thesecond lug being formed with an opening receiving the other end of said roller,

and a gate mounted on said second lug to normall close the outer end of said opening.

6. A structure as specified in claim 5; said gate having a handle-forming finger projecting beyond the second named lug and adapted to limit the outward movement of a conventional throw-off wire.

7. A body iormed with spaced projecting lugs, a thread guiding roller extending between said lugs, one lug having a socket receiving one end of said roller, the other lug being formed With an opening receiving the other end of said roller, and a gate mounted on said other lug and normally closing the outer end of said openin 8. A thread cleaner bracket comprising a horizontal plate for anchorage upon a support, said plate having a rigid arm which projects first in one direction therefrom and then projects in a direction substantially at right angles to the first named direction, said arm being in substantially the same plane with said plate throughout its length, the portion of the plate opposite said arm being directed away from said plane, then projected outwardly in a parallel plane, and having a thread guiding edge oblique to said first named direction.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

HARRY J. HUFFORD. 

